Vincentius Alvin Yoga
Apr 02, 2026
In Indonesia, 9 out of 10 people exercise regularly. Populix revealed it in their report, “Understanding Indonesia’s Sports Trends” in November 2024, based on a survey of 1,030 respondents.
Based on that fact, it’s safe to say that today, exercise has evolved into a lifestyle for many people. It’s a trend that feels increasingly relevant considering that the benefits go beyond physical health, but extending into mental well-being as well.
Interestingly, this shift is also reflected in how hospitality destinations are shaping their experiences. No longer just a haven to rest or enjoy the dining options, hotels and resorts are incorporating facilities that support a more active lifestyle for their guests, both in-house and outside visitors.
At Grand Hyatt Bali, this approach feels quite tangible, particularly through its wellness programs and facilities, which are quietly becoming one of its compelling sides.
Knowing that, we surely didn’t want to miss out. A fun wellness day at Grand Hyatt Bali? That sounds interesting, of course.
After putting together our agenda, the day finally came for us to explore the wellness programs at Grand Hyatt Bali. As a starting point, we began the day with a game of tennis.
As complete beginners who had never tried tennis before (please don’t judge), stepping onto the court at Grand Hyatt Bali felt like an experience in itself. There was a mix of excitement from trying something new, along with a sense of admiration, cause the courts felt surprisingly immersive.
Grand Hyatt Bali has two tennis courts. They are available daily, and interestingly, not limited to in-house guests. Yes, you read it right. Outside visitors can also rent them with prior reservation. For late afternoon to evening sessions, the court lighting is well-maintained. It’s bright enough, allowing you to play the game comfortably and focused.
We started the game by meeting our coach. (Yes, Grand Hyatt Bali also provides coaches who can accompany you during your session.) Knowing we were in good hands, there was a sense of ease. We began with stretching, followed by learning the basic rules and essential movements for beginners.
While stretching, we learned that their tennis courts had just undergone a refresh. The surface was newly repainted, giving it a more striking and vibrant look. For those who enjoy creating content, this becomes a bonus. The visuals are clean, with bold colors that goes well on camera, whether for photos or short-form videos.
After stretching, our coach let us learned about the equipment and how to use them. Throughout the process, I realized that in terms of facilities, everything is approachable here, even for beginners. Rackets and balls are available to borrow, so there’s no need to come overly prepared with full equipment for beginners. Good to know, right?
After learning how to hold the racket, we were then guided to learn how to hit the balls. While attempting to hit a few balls, our coach mentioned that the courts at Grand Hyatt Bali are not just recreational. They are often used for competitions, which means the surface quality and dimensions meet proper playing standards. For more serious players, this is definitely important, and it’s something Grand Hyatt Bali clearly understands and delivers.
A few minutes later, after getting familiar with the basic movements and rules, we finally started playing. Was it fun? Absolutely. Exhausting? Definitely. What began as a few swings quickly turned into something more engaging. There were missed shots, a few accidental hits, and moments where timing felt completely off and made us laughed because of our clumsiness, but that was part of the charm. Every now and then, we managed a clean rally, and those small wins felt surprisingly satisfying. As beginners, the experience feel less intimidating and far more enjoyable than expected.
Somewhere in between this fun, I also noticed something: The atmosphere. Playing tennis here isn’t just about rallies. The open area, surrounded by trees and greenery, creates a calm feeling. There are moments when all you hear is the sound of the ball, footsteps, and the gentle movement of the wind. It almost feels like stepping away from the pace of everyday life, rather than simply chasing scores.
It’s like we were experiencing a simple form of escapism. Well, who knows playing tennis could be this enjoyable?
After a session that was quite draining (it’s actually less than one hour, yet we’re sweating like crazy. Again, don’t judge), we decided to take a short break. With the bright, sunny weather that day, we found ourselves sweating throughout the game.
At that point, we felt like we needed a slower kind of wellness.
The most natural choice, of course, was to move toward a spa experience. Oh, who doesn’t want a good massage after a nice tennis session?
We then made our way to Kriya Spa by buggy. If you haven’t been here before, take note: Kriya Spa is tucked within the tranquil grounds of Grand Hyatt Bali, and it is surprisingly expansive.
The moment you step in, you’re immediately greeted by water surrounding the space. On both sides of the entrance walkway, calm pools stretch alongside wooden pillars and overhead wooden structures. White walls enclose the entire area, creating a quiet separation between Kriya Spa and the outside world. Almost instantly, the gentle sound of flowing water becomes noticeable. Lush greenery fills the space, there are shrubs, along with tall, mature trees that provide shade and give the entire area a calm, grounded atmosphere.
Kriya Spa itself is inspired by the Balinese philosophy of “Rituals.” Its architecture is a reminiscent of a regal water palace. At the center stands an open-air courtyard that functions as the lobby, a comfortable space where soft breezes flow naturally. Pastel-toned sofas are arranged around low wooden coffee tables, while decorative shelves on the side display books and small sculptures in a neat arrangement.
To the left of the lobby, across a pathway flanked by water, lies another courtyard dedicated to treatments. It's like a huge gazebo where guests can enjoy treatments in an open-air setting, surrounded by tropical greenery and the soft hush of poolside breezes. I can only imagine how magical it must feel during the rain, with gentle droplets accompanying the entire experience.
In the gazebo, lounge chairs made of wood, paired with soft pastel cushions, line the outer area beneath a shaded façade. Inside, separated by glass panels, there is also an air-conditioned room with similar seating, a more enclosed space without losing the overall aesthetic.
Now at the back of the lobby, a layered, low-rise artificial waterfall becomes a focal point, its cascading water creating a soothing sound that carries throughout the spa. Towering trees, from coconut and frangipani among them, surround the area. Pathways and wide steps weave through the water features, each leading to private villas or suites where treatments take place.
Unlike many spas that offer standard treatment rooms, Kriya Spa directs each guest to their own villa or suite. It’s clear that privacy and comfort are a priority here.
Upon arriving at the lobby and taking a seat, we were welcomed with a refreshing drink and a cool towel. The therapist then walked us through the range of treatments available, from rejuvenating facials and luxurious body scrubs to deeply therapeutic massages and even Ayurvedic ritual therapies.
We chose to try one of their most recommended treatments: the signature Authentic Balinese Massage, a ritual deeply rooted in Bali’s centuries-old healing traditions. The staff said that the therapy combines ancient techniques passed down through generations, enhanced with aromatic cinnamon and ylang-ylang oils that help soothe the body, stimulate circulation, and support natural detoxification.
We were also introduced to three different massage oils and invited to choose our preferred one, which would then be used during the treatment.
Once everything was set, we were escorted to our suite. Each suite is separated by tall white walls, ensuring complete privacy. The pathways leading to the villas are wide, lined with pebbles, low shrubs, and flowering grass on both sides.
The villa itself is modest in size, comfortable for two guests. Upon entering, we were welcomed by two sofas, where the pre-treatment ritual took place, including a foot scrub before the massage began. After a brief introduction to our therapists, we were given time to prepare and change on the changing room.
The treatment began shortly after. Once the therapists confirmed which areas we wanted to avoid, we were asked to lie down on the massage table. Warm oil was applied, and the massage began. I can feel that the Authentic Balinese Massage combines rhythmic strokes, gentle stretches, and deeper pressure. At times, the therapists used not only their hands and fingers, but also their elbows and forearms, creating a more layered and thorough experience.
Throughout the session, I could feel the tension from earlier activity slowly easing. In many ways, the treatment felt like a continuation of the day’s earlier movement. Muscles that had been actively engaged during tennis were given the attention they needed, worked on with just the right amount of pressure to release tension without feeling overwhelming.
Of course, 60 minutes passed far too quickly (it always does for a good massage, doesn’t it?). Once the session ended, our therapist shared which areas of the body had been particularly tense and required more focus. Honestly, it felt accurate, my neck and shoulders, in particular, felt noticeably lighter afterward.
We were then given time to change and freshen up, although it was recommended to wait one to two hours before showering to allow the massage oil to fully absorb and deliver its benefits. If you do choose to shower, the spa provides amenities for you to use.
After a good massage, we were escorted back to the lobby. As we were still talking about how good the experience was, the staff mentioned that Grand Hyatt Bali also offers a sound healing session and asked if we’d like to try it. It sounded intriguing the moment we heard about it, so of course, we said yes.
The sound healing can be held amidst the lush gardens or inside one of the suites at Kriya Spa. We chose to experience it within the spa, and were then guided to a quiet suite.
Inside, everything was already thoughtfully prepared. The mats laid out neatly, along with pillows, blankets, and eye covers. We were introduced to the practitioner who would be guiding the session, then invited to sit on our respective mats. A brief conversation followed, whether we had experienced sound healing before, and whether we preferred to sit or lie down during the session. We chose to lie down, letting the experience unfold in a more restful way.
For those unfamiliar with sound healing, it is essentially a practice to bring the body and mind into a more relaxed, meditative state. The practitioner guides the session with gentle instructions, accompanied by instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, and other resonant tools, in which each producing vibrations intended to calm the system.
We began by lying down, our heads resting on the pillows, and blankets covering our bodies. The practitioner instructed us to close our eyes, take a deep breath in, and slowly exhale. She then moved around the room, placing eye covers over our eyes one by one, and positioning small stones along points of the body in which our chakra energy centers.
As the session progressed, her voice became minimal, almost secondary to the sounds themselves. The tones from the singing bowls echoed softly through the room, sometimes distant and airy, sometimes deeper and more grounding. There was no clear rhythm to follow, yet somehow, everything felt aligned.
The session lasted around 60 minutes, though time felt slightly blurred. At some point, I realized I might have drifted off for a few minutes. But strangely, it didn’t feel like sleep in the usual sense, more like hovering in between being awake and completely at ease.
And perhaps that’s the point.
By the time the session came to an end, we all sat in silence, simply taking everything in. It feels like we’re calmer, more grounded, and more content. In that moment, everything felt a little lighter. Perhaps that’s what wellness is really about. Not just keeping the body in check, but also let the mind to reset and settle.
In that moment, I thought: It’s no surprise that more people are drawn to wellness these days. It’s exactly what we don’t realize we need in this busy, noisy world.
And yes, we need it now more than ever, don't you think?
